Team USA star Falorin Balogun was sent off with a red card in the team’s win on Wednesday, but one FIFA expert believes that officials violated the World Cup’s own protocol on video reviews.
Balogun was assessed a red card after he made contact with Bosnia defender Tarik Muharemovic while trying to play a ball, kicking the defender on the back of the ankle. Officials reviewed the play using the video assistant referee (VAR), which ESPN’s Andy Davies said was against the rules for replays of fouls.
United States vs. Bosnia-Herzegovina
Referee: Raphael Claus
VAR: Juan Ernesto Soto Arévalo
Time: 63 minutes
Incident: VAR overturn. Red card given to USMNT forward Folarin Balogun for serious foul play (SFP).
What happened: U.S. goal scorer Balogun was sent off following a VAR check after what seemed like innocuous contact with Bosnia defender Tarik Muharemovic.
VAR decision: VAR recommended an on-field review for a possible red card for SFP.
VAR review: VAR was uncomfortable with the replays that showed the Bosnian defender’s right ankle buckle under contact from Balogun when both players were challenging for the ball. VAR believed Balogun was dangerous in his play and recommended the referee visit the pitchside monitor to review for a possible red card.
Verdict: Balogun can feel unfortunate to be red carded in this situation as, in my opinion, this was not a red card offense. With both players challenging for ball, the contact from Balogun on Muharemovic, while it looked bad in slow motion, was purely accidental and an unfortunate result from two players challenging for possession of the ball in a normal football movement.
VAR made their recommendation to the referee based on slow-motion and still replays, which is not aligned with VAR protocols, as these should be used for only point-of-contact purposes in a red card tackle situation. Once at the screen, however, it would have been a surprise if the referee did not send off Balogun considering the pictures he was presented by VAR.
A team cannot appeal against a red card or the subsequent suspension, per a FIFA official.
When asked by The Athletic whether a red card can be appealed a FIFA official pointed to its regulations and Article 66.4 which states:
“A sending-off automatically incurs suspension from the subsequent match. The FIFA judicial bodies may impose additional match suspensions and other disciplinary measures.”
FIFA’s Disciplinary Committee also has the power to extend any ban.
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